The uprising in Syria against President Assad’s regime is expanding. It began last week with rebel advances in the northwest of the country.
Over the weekend, they captured Aleppo. Rebel groups in the south and east have also taken up arms, with the Syrian army offering little resistance.
In the northwest, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebels today seized Rastan and Talbiseh near Homs, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Verified footage confirms they are only 5 kilometers from Homs.
Yesterday, rebels captured Hama, 40 kilometers north. The Syrian army claims it withdrew to save lives and regroup, but no regrouping seems evident as rebels approach Homs.
Losing Homs would be a major blow to Assad’s regime, as it lies on the route from Damascus to the Mediterranean coast, home to many Assad supporters. In the south, insurgents have taken Daraa and surrounding areas, raising the Free Syrian flag.
A nearby army base was attacked, with rebels controlling its entrance. It’s unclear if the army has been defeated there.
Jordan closed its border crossing at Nassib. A source says rebels fired on army checkpoints there, with online videos showing men storming the border posts.
In the east, the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) have fully taken Deir el-Zor, a city on the Euphrates. The SDF, supported by the US, consists of Kurdish YPG and Arab militias.
The city reportedly fell without resistance. Syria, Iran, and Iraq’s foreign ministers met in Baghdad for talks, with Syrian Minister Sabbagh stating the developments pose a serious threat to regional stability.
No specific agreements have been disclosed.
Source: NOS